South Bay Power Plant out, substation in

Bayfront facility planned for south of power plant site

Still, some are worried that the proposal calls for steel risers up to 165 feet tall. The proposed project, estimated to cost $120 million to $140 million, will remove five existing lattice towers in exchange for one 165-foot tall steel pole needed to extend an underground connector, according to SDG&E documents.

It also includes replacement of another 165-foot steel pole with a 121-foot steel angle pole.

The San Diego Audubon Society has warned about tall structures which could be located near California Least Tern nesting areas, and other environmental impacts of the project.

“There are two concerns, the potential for a bird strike hazard, that includes electrocution risks or just physical damage flying into an object in the night. The second is the potential for predators to use high objects as perch to attack endangered birds,” said Conservation Committee Chair James Peugh.

The planned substation would use about 9.7 acres of a 12.4 acre property, a little larger than the existing substation, which is on about 7.2 acres. The South Bay Power Plant sits on about 150 bayfront acres.

Mayor Cheryl Cox said she is very supportive of the relocation project, noting that it will be a more efficient substation for South Bay energy users.

The old substation cannot be demolished until the new one is constructed and online, Tapia said.

An environmental impact report was expected to be released by the PUC in October, but is not available.